By Elishya Perera
MONTRÉAL, Québec (CWBN)_ French military and diplomatic officials called for stronger Canadian involvement in Mali, by way of leading peace and reconciliation talks, as well as providing military assistance to fight Islamic extremists in the region.
The request was made following a coup in August which has once again left the country under military rule, as ousted President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, fled the country in September.
This was the fourth coup in Mali since 1960, when it gained independence from France. A previous coup in 2012 led to Islamic militants attempting to seize territory in northern Mali, requiring military interventions led by French forces to combat these operations.
While Canada provided support in this French mission, known as Operation Barkhane, it concluded its peacekeeping mission in the West African country more than a year ago and experts suggest Canada’s increased disengagement from Mali is owing to the lack of political interest.
During a panel discussion last week, hosted by the Ottawa-based Conference of Defence Associations Institute, French Brig.-Gen. Cyril Carcy, who commanded Operation Barkhane until August, called for “additional contributions” while thanking Canada for its involvement thus far.
Carcy also noted ways in which the Canadian military could assist French and local African forces fighting terrorist groups in the region. The recommendations included assistance from Canada in terms of intelligence and sensors in order to locate and identify Islamic militant forces as well as air-to-air refuelling to support French fighter jets operating in the region. “The Canadians can therefore participate without necessarily being present in Mali in the combat sense,” he said.
Meanwhile, former Canadian Ambassador to Mali, Isabelle Roy, who also participated in the discussion, called on Canada to become “more present” in the country, especially by way of peace and reconciliation talks.
“I believe that Canada in fact could do more on the mediation front, as we did during the 1991 transition period and as we continued to do for the northern part of Mali,” Roy said.
Meanwhile, Mali’s military leaders have agreed to form an 18-month transition government until an election can take place. The coup in August was welcomed by many Malians owing to corruption and mismanagement of the economy by President Keita.
However, international observers are concerned that the instability in the West African country might grow into the surrounding nations thereby creating a base for operation for terrorist groups.
Edited By Chathushka Perera
